[T]he use of medical information exchanged from one site to another via electronic communications to improve a patient’s clinical health status. Telemedicine includes a growing variety of applications and services using two-way video, email, smart phones, wireless tools and other forms of telecommunications technology.

Clifton-Fine’s gotten its telemedicine funding through the Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Organization, and plans to start with pain management; services could start in June with a pilot program, the paper reports. The hospital may also use telemedicine for psychiatric services, which would allow patients to see a therapist in the same place where they see a doctor.